I was apparently one of the few people who saw this movie on its brief release in 1975. I knew about the 1942 Orson Welles film but had yet to see it. I went to see this version because of Vincent Price and he does not disappoint. Other big name cast members added to the fun. Zero Mostel recycles his PRODUCERS persona and Donald Pleasence adds another of his quirky characters to his resume'. Joseph Wiseman from DR NO is on hand along with Yvette Mimeux as a chanteuse who can't sing and a young Ian McShane who never says a word. The protagonist is Sam Waterston fresh from THE GREAT GATSBY and years before LAW & ORDER. Incidentally the Jackie Cooper listed in the cast is not the former child actor but the film's stunt coordinator.
The plot, which is updated from Eric Ambler's 1940 novel, concerns a petroleum engineer named Graham whose discovery of oil deposits in Turkey leads to several murder attempts to keep his discovery from becoming known. Most of the movie takes place aboard a tramp steamer where Graham tries to evade his pursuers without knowing who they really are. It eventually leads to a final and memorable confrontation in Genoa involving Waterston, McShane and Vincent Price. Waterston is very good as a man who knows that he's out of his depth but manages to stay one step ahead thanks to luck rather than skill.
Director Daniel Mann was a big name in the 1950s and 60s with COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA and BUTTERFIELD 8 but by 1975 he was basically a director for hire. He works well with the actors but seems unsure what to do when it comes to dealing with the story elements or pacing the film. There's also evidence of post-production intervention as the editing is a little ragged in places but that's mostly in the beginning. After years of being unavailable JOURNEY INTO FEAR has made it to Blu-Ray and while its good to see it again, the print used is an old one complete with a PG rating before the credits which evokes a certain nostalgia. It's also probably the only print available. However the picture is clear and the sound is good although subtitles would have been appreciated. My thanks to Dark Force Entertainment for resurrecting this forgotten title which, although flawed, is definitely worth revisiting...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.
